elvor0:My god. That comic actually reached critical mass levels of lampoon and sarcasm. I actually genuinely believed it had actually happened for a good few minutes there >< Tangently, should I feel ashamed for finding the cigar chomping one kind of cute?

On the actual topic at hand, having just read the article linked under the comic does raise some fair points, and the OP has missed that point. It's not about some elitist jerk juding you based on "geek cred" it's about /those/ sort of women that go to conventions, just so they can seek attention, because they imagine the stereotypical geek being there (which do exist), and feel empowered, because they KNOW that a lot of the men there will be infatuated with her being there. It's cruel and out of order as far as I'm concerned, you don't see me going to places where I envision underconfident, desperate women being just so I can feel superior.

I don't see that reason for going to be worth less than mine (basically socialize and nerdgasm over previews and such). Why is it worth less?

elvor0:My god. That comic actually reached critical mass levels of lampoon and sarcasm. I actually genuinely believed it had actually happened for a good few minutes there >< Tangently, should I feel ashamed for finding the cigar chomping one kind of cute?

On the actual topic at hand, having just read the article linked under the comic does raise some fair points, and the OP has missed that point. It's not about some elitist jerk juding you based on "geek cred" it's about /those/ sort of women that go to conventions, just so they can seek attention, because they imagine the stereotypical geek being there (which do exist), and feel empowered, because they KNOW that a lot of the men there will be infatuated with her being there. It's cruel and out of order as far as I'm concerned, you don't see me going to places where I envision underconfident, desperate women being just so I can feel superior.

I don't see that reason for going to be worth less than mine (basically socialize and nerdgasm over previews and such). Why is it worth less?

What going to a convention to sucker people into buying you drinks and stuff isn't cruel?

elvor0:My god. That comic actually reached critical mass levels of lampoon and sarcasm. I actually genuinely believed it had actually happened for a good few minutes there >< Tangently, should I feel ashamed for finding the cigar chomping one kind of cute?

On the actual topic at hand, having just read the article linked under the comic does raise some fair points, and the OP has missed that point. It's not about some elitist jerk juding you based on "geek cred" it's about /those/ sort of women that go to conventions, just so they can seek attention, because they imagine the stereotypical geek being there (which do exist), and feel empowered, because they KNOW that a lot of the men there will be infatuated with her being there. It's cruel and out of order as far as I'm concerned, you don't see me going to places where I envision underconfident, desperate women being just so I can feel superior.

That guy can say he's only talking about those women, but every geek girl I know, including myself, has to put up with dudes assuming you are one of those women and treating you like shit/giving you a quiz.It's hard enough for lady gamers to be accepted, and pointing out a minority that may take advantage of the `attention` (which I put in quotations because honestly the type of attention I get for being female is not the `good` kind) only furthers this bloody useless stereotype.

Even if some people are there for attention and it bothers you, don't give it to them.If other people do, that's entirely up to them.

OK, fair enough. He's a sexist asshole. But not in the way the comic is suggesting. So I think my criticism of the comic still stands. He's sexist because he chose to make a big deal about their appearance, and implied it had something to do with their worth as a person. What he ISN'T is a "Geek Gatekeeper" who accuses women of being posers based solely on their gender.

Isn't that the whole point?When has a dude been accused of being in the gaming community or going to a con for attention?Ever?

That guy has no right telling anyone what to do or assuming what other people's motivation is based on things like looks and gender.

He didn't ASSUME anything. He said he had no problem with people who actually liked nerd culture, no matter what gender they are or what they look like. His problem was solely with the ones who DO pretend to like nerd culture just for the attention. If a person doesn't already fit that description, then he's not talking about them. It's that simple. No assumptions were made.

elvor0:My god. That comic actually reached critical mass levels of lampoon and sarcasm. I actually genuinely believed it had actually happened for a good few minutes there >< Tangently, should I feel ashamed for finding the cigar chomping one kind of cute?

On the actual topic at hand, having just read the article linked under the comic does raise some fair points, and the OP has missed that point. It's not about some elitist jerk juding you based on "geek cred" it's about /those/ sort of women that go to conventions, just so they can seek attention, because they imagine the stereotypical geek being there (which do exist), and feel empowered, because they KNOW that a lot of the men there will be infatuated with her being there. It's cruel and out of order as far as I'm concerned, you don't see me going to places where I envision underconfident, desperate women being just so I can feel superior.

I don't see that reason for going to be worth less than mine (basically socialize and nerdgasm over previews and such). Why is it worth less?

What going to a convention to sucker people into buying you drinks and stuff isn't cruel?

Maybe some people are going for attention and maybe some people are happy enough to give it to them. No one loses there except people getting worked up about them not being "real nerds/geeks".

Yeah, it probably would've been better with something that isn't notable for it's surprisingly huge male fanbase, like Barbie or something. He was probably trying to make it more relatable and/or attract more hits by alluding to Bronyism.

And I doubt you could ever really convince men that being sexually harassed by a woman is a very bad thing because our culture dictates that sex is something a woman generously gives and a man is happy to get, no matter the circumstances. But that's an issue for another day.

It's not my fault I'm unable to turn down female advances, I'm just a randy bastard :P. Its less of a societal problem and more of trouser-brain one. But you're right, sexual gender roles and the politics therein is a hole other thread.

Okay...so there is an attention whore problem and a certain part of the community reacted with generalisation and discrimination. This of course is unlikely to solve the problem and may even damage the community a bit more.

You know this is all very interesting... if it weren't for the MLP fandom...

Hazy992:Did anyone actually read the text underneath the comic? It pretty much spells the point out for you; that this shit happens all the time to women, where women geeks and gamers for some inexplicable reason have to 'prove themselves' that they're not just posers. It's bullshit, pathetic misogynist crap.

Did you actually read the text? - Because from my point of view you seem to miss the mark as well...Just a little reminder: The culprits in this case are women...

elvor0:My god. That comic actually reached critical mass levels of lampoon and sarcasm. I actually genuinely believed it had actually happened for a good few minutes there >< Tangently, should I feel ashamed for finding the cigar chomping one kind of cute?

On the actual topic at hand, having just read the article linked under the comic does raise some fair points, and the OP has missed that point. It's not about some elitist jerk juding you based on "geek cred" it's about /those/ sort of women that go to conventions, just so they can seek attention, because they imagine the stereotypical geek being there (which do exist), and feel empowered, because they KNOW that a lot of the men there will be infatuated with her being there. It's cruel and out of order as far as I'm concerned, you don't see me going to places where I envision underconfident, desperate women being just so I can feel superior.

That guy can say he's only talking about those women, but every geek girl I know, including myself, has to put up with dudes assuming you are one of those women and treating you like shit/giving you a quiz.It's hard enough for lady gamers to be accepted, and pointing out a minority that may take advantage of the `attention` (which I put in quotations because honestly the type of attention I get for being female is not the `good` kind) only furthers this bloody useless stereotype.

Even if some people are there for attention and it bothers you, don't give it to them.If other people do, that's entirely up to them.

I suppose it depends on your experiences in life, I like to take a "get to know you" to everyone I meet, and like to think I'm tolerant and open minded to people I meet. But then, going from what you describe in your experiences, that would make someone like me the exception, rather than the rule. And you're right, those women drag some peoples expectations of genuinely nice people who are there for the same reasons everyone else is; to have a laugh and enjoy the celebration of what ever convention it is. We as "Geeks" should know better, I'm sure for a lot of us, we were outcast purely by what we liked, we have no business being nasty to people for no good reason, the elitist undercurrent that has developed in the culture I love, I completely abhore. But they are different sides of the same coin;

Let's say, we have an under confident boy who's at a convention and he keeps getting those girls come in, just to sucker up attention and milk some drinks from boys. Boy gets jaded about women and starts being precautious about women at convention. Extremely unfair to the women he meets, and he's been jaded by that, however, those women are also not very nice human beings who are taking advantage of people.

On the flip side, you're at a convention, you know you're a nice person, as your post shows (and I have no pretense to make any other assumptions, given I dont know you), and it leads to boys interrogating you about your supposed "geekiness", which makes you jaded about boys at conventions, and makes those boys horrible people.

I'm not actually sure what my final point is supposed to be now... erm, yeah... some people are cunts and ruin peoples views of certain groups due to their cuntish nature. That works.

I don't see that reason for going to be worth less than mine (basically socialize and nerdgasm over previews and such). Why is it worth less?

What going to a convention to sucker people into buying you drinks and stuff isn't cruel?

Maybe some people are going for attention and maybe some people are happy enough to give it to them. No one loses there except people getting worked up about them not being "real nerds/geeks".

This might get a little messy having conversations with two people so bear with me:

No, my point is people who go purely to take advantage of other people, like say for example: the hot girl who actually has no interest in being there, other than to milk drinks out of under confident men. That makes those specific people, not very nice human beings, if it were men doing it to women, I'd have the same opinion. I make no generalizations on all of women kind with my point, only against specific people who not only milk attention from people and take advantage of them, but people who are just as bad by quizzing /every/ girl they meet so that they may judge them, purely based on their gender.

Both people are bad, but I don't feel the "Booth babes need not apply" guy is being fairly looked on.

Moonlight Butterfly:I'm sure there are women who exploit male geek attention to promote their modelling career. There are obvious cases like some women who were at the con to promote their salon by only wearing superhero body paint and tiny patches covering their naughty bits (They had no interest in comics by their own admission) and they complained about being ejected from the con.

BUT

there is NO WAY to separate regular cosplayers from ''geeky people'' without it turning into some sort of fascist regime and futher promoting the idea that women aren't playing video games when we are. Female cosplayers should be left alone.

It annoys the crap out of me when someone sexily roleplays a character like an underwear model that I personally see to be a tough badass but I would never think of questioning that persons 'geek cred.' If they have put the time and effort into the cosplay then they must at least care about the game on some level.

Booth Babes are totally a different matter the industry needs to get rid of them to stop promoting this boys club mentality. I know you guys like them but they personally seriously make me feel uncomfortable and unwelcome (like I'm sure some oiled hunky guy in a speedo handing out flyers would make some of you guys feel). There's nothing like being reminded you aren't the main demographic in the most skeevy way possible.

I assume that you aren't trying to generalize that all guys like booth babes, but just in case, I have absolutely no interest in them. I'd much rather talk to someone at a stand who actually is interested in what they're selling than someone who's just there for eye candy and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in this.

What bothered me most in that article was how he kept associating real geeks who cosplayed with attractive girls and made it sound like everyone of an average attractiveness who cosplayed was just trying to seek attention they normally got denied. As a general rule though, you shouldn't just assume that someone's in it for the attention, if they really are it should be easy enough to find out just by talking to them about it.

erttheking:...I'm not going to lie, I have no idea what this is trying to say.

It was reversing the situation that was linked below the comic. Women were getting called out for going to cons for "attention" and the comic just reversed the genders to prove a point. Ponies were used to increase hits.

Ishigami:Okay...so there is an attention whore problem and a certain part of the community reacted with generalisation and discrimination. This of course is unlikely to solve the problem and may even damage the community a bit more.

You know this is all very interesting... if it weren't for the MLP fandom...

Hazy992:Did anyone actually read the text underneath the comic? It pretty much spells the point out for you; that this shit happens all the time to women, where women geeks and gamers for some inexplicable reason have to 'prove themselves' that they're not just posers. It's bullshit, pathetic misogynist crap.

Did you actually read the text? - Because from my point of view you seem to miss the mark as well...Just a little reminder: The culprits in this case are women...

It's called satire. It's lampooning what a lot of women have to go through when part of the geek sub culture by flipping it on it's head and making women culprits instead of victims. I don't know how you can't see that.

Jesus. People are having this hard of a time with this comic? I mean, it's pretty obvi...

Ishigami:Okay...so there is an attention whore problem and a certain part of the community reacted with generalisation and discrimination. This of course is unlikely to solve the problem and may even damage the community a bit more.

You know this is all very interesting... if it weren't for the MLP fandom...

Hazy992:Did anyone actually read the text underneath the comic? It pretty much spells the point out for you; that this shit happens all the time to women, where women geeks and gamers for some inexplicable reason have to 'prove themselves' that they're not just posers. It's bullshit, pathetic misogynist crap.

Did you actually read the text? - Because from my point of view you seem to miss the mark as well...Just a little reminder: The culprits in this case are women...

I suppose it depends on your experiences in life, I like to take a "get to know you" to everyone I meet, and like to think I'm tolerant and open minded to people I meet. And you're right, those women drag some peoples expectations of genuinely nice people who are there for the same reasons everyone else is; to have a laugh and enjoy the celebration of what ever convention it is. But they are different sides of the same coin;

Let's say, we have an under confident boy who's at a convention and he keeps getting those girls come in, just to sucker up attention and milk some drinks from boys. Boy gets jaded about women and starts being precautious about women at convention. Extremely unfair to the women he meets, and he's been jaded by that, however, those women are also not very nice human beings who are taking advantage of people.

On the flip side, you're at a convention, you know you're a nice person, as your post shows (and I have no pretense to make any other assumptions, given I dont know you), and it leads to boys interrogating you about your supposed "geekiness", which makes you jaded about boys at conventions, and makes those boys horrible people.

I'm not actually sure what my final point is supposed to be now... erm, yeah... some people are cunts and ruin peoples views of certain groups due to their cuntish nature. That works.

If a guy meets a bunch of girls who are only there for attention, that's a sad thing, but it doesn't give them the right to stereotype all other girls.

I've met loads of guys who can't accept that I actually enjoy my own damn hobby, but I don't treat every gamer guy I meet like he's going to act like that. Because that would be wrong. If he does act like that, I just sigh and move on.These dudes have no excuse. They only serve to push women out and then they complain that women aren't interested.

I suppose it depends on your experiences in life, I like to take a "get to know you" to everyone I meet, and like to think I'm tolerant and open minded to people I meet. And you're right, those women drag some peoples expectations of genuinely nice people who are there for the same reasons everyone else is; to have a laugh and enjoy the celebration of what ever convention it is. But they are different sides of the same coin;

Let's say, we have an under confident boy who's at a convention and he keeps getting those girls come in, just to sucker up attention and milk some drinks from boys. Boy gets jaded about women and starts being precautious about women at convention. Extremely unfair to the women he meets, and he's been jaded by that, however, those women are also not very nice human beings who are taking advantage of people.

On the flip side, you're at a convention, you know you're a nice person, as your post shows (and I have no pretense to make any other assumptions, given I dont know you), and it leads to boys interrogating you about your supposed "geekiness", which makes you jaded about boys at conventions, and makes those boys horrible people.

I'm not actually sure what my final point is supposed to be now... erm, yeah... some people are cunts and ruin peoples views of certain groups due to their cuntish nature. That works.

If a guy meets a bunch of girls who are only there for attention, that's a sad thing, but it doesn't give them the right to stereotype all other girls.

I've met loads of guys who can't accept that I actually enjoy my own damn hobby, but I don't treat every gamer guy I meet like he's going to act like that. Because that would be wrong. If he does act like that, I just sigh and move on.These dudes have no excuse. They only serve to push women out and then they complain that women aren't interested.

Just to clarify, I do utterly agree with what you just posted, what you just said, was what I was trying to say, I may have tripped over my own words there, I think I may have over articulated my thoughts a bit.

However, I do feel that the bloke who wrote "Booth babes need not apply" was trying to get a similar point across, and is attracting unfair hate for it.

Ohlookit'sMatty:What are you guys smoking? I really hope that this sort of thing doesn't go on at pony cons

-M

What are you talking about? MLP conventions are basically one big pit of horny, available females. Why do you think MLP is so popular? The show? Pfffttt.

I have the sneaking suspicion that many convention places are being rapidly booked due to misconceptions about forceful MLP themed foursomes.

this guy is wrong on so many levels...

Wrong as in factually incorrect, or wrong as in sick in the head? Because i can plead guilty to both.

On a side note other places to meet attractive, single and and downright assertive women include; Star-trek conventions, LAN parties, Games Workshop and Pokemon TGC competitions. If you can't get laid at an Pokemon Card Game Regional then there is no hope for you. Its like an orgy on steroids. They just won't take no for an answer.

Hazy992:Did anyone actually read the text underneath the comic? It pretty much spells the point out for you; that this shit happens all the time to women, where women geeks and gamers for some inexplicable reason have to 'prove themselves' that they're not just posers. It's bullshit, pathetic misogynist crap.

Did you actually read the text? - Because from my point of view you seem to miss the mark as well...Just a little reminder: The culprits in this case are women...

You might've read the text, but he read the subtext. There is no issue of Bronies being met with hostility by females at pony cons. The author is just making it up as a satirical gender reversal of the actual problem: females being met with hostility by men at gaming cons.

Hazy992:It's called satire. It's lampooning what a lot of women have to go through when part of the geek sub culture by flipping it on it's head and making women culprits instead of victims. I don't know how you can't see that.

That would be simple to explain: I'm not even remotely interested in the MLP fandom.Since I don't know shit about them, and don't care to learn, I could only take it at face value.

So this strip criticizes not something that happened in the MLP fandom but the article it linked to in its appendix. Well this was obviously lost on someone who does not give a fuck about certain fandoms nor has English as his mouther tongue because I did not see the irony in the text.

Hazy992:It's called satire. It's lampooning what a lot of women have to go through when part of the geek sub culture by flipping it on it's head and making women culprits instead of victims. I don't know how you can't see that.

That would be simple to explain: I'm not even remotely interested in the MLP fandom.Since I don't know shit about them, and don't care to learn, I could only take it at face value.

So this strip criticizes not something that happened in the MLP fandom but the article it linked to in its appendix. Well this was obviously lost on someone who does not give a fuck about certain fandoms nor has English as his mouther tongue.

Fair enough. Yeah it's just using MLP because it's popular. The comic could have used any fandom and the point would still stand.

I'm on to you! And since I just indicated that I also know what you're talking about, I guess you're on to me as well. Oh dear...

Okay don't panic. No one else has to know about this. As long as we don't say anything else this can hopefully just be swept under the rug somewhere. After all, what happens in room 403 stays in room 403.

Also, it's great to see you someplace other than GamePolitics. I'm a long-time lurker and haven't signed on in a long while, but I still visit to keep up with current events and people's reactions to some things. :)

OT: I'm not sure whether this is sarcasm (most likely) or reality (it'd be surprising if it was), and whether to be offended or excited... I mean, I know there's a statement about the treatment of women/"girl gamers" in here somewhere; the parody and sarcasm just feel so heavy, it just feels as if this conversation was just played straight...And if that's the case, then it truly is weird...

WhiteTigerShiro:If "bronies" actually got treated that way, every guy in the world would pretend to be into My Little Pony.

pretend to be into something just to get subjected to sexual harassment? i doubt that highly

it's not fun for either gender

Actually the idea of getting sexually harassed by a group of women engorges my sexual organ.

Even if it was someone grossly unattractive, the ego boost still happens.

You know there's quite a stretch between fantasy and reality. Just because I like to be taken forcefully doesn't mean I like to be taken forcefully against my will by a total stranger if you get my drift.

What frustrates me is that if a guy receives unwanted sexual advances people say that they have no right to complain and should be thankful a woman acts like that to them. I'm at least glad that some people on this forum realize that sexual harassment is just that.

Can someone clarify if bronies actually get harassed at cons or if this is a clever analogy about a "fake geek girls" experiece at cons? Maybe it's both. I'm leaning more towards analogy. It's quite a good analogy at that. I feel pretty sick to the core reading that strip.